Amateur Radio Brian Green N6HWY In this day and age, communication is essential. Amateur radio is an excellent means of sharing information about home power as well as providing reliable outback communications. Amateur radio is a government licensed radio service for personal use. All forms of two way radio transmission are allowed on a very wide range of frequencies. Amateur radio operators (called Hams, no one knows whyÉ) run everything from 2 way Television to Morse Code to computerized packet radio. And they talk everywhere, from across the world to down the street. A Short History of Hams In the beginning, before military or commercial radio, all radio was amateur radio. Starting at the turn of the century intrepid electrical experimenters began duplicating the work of Marconi and others. In January of 1909, the first radio club was formed. It was called "The Junior Wireless Club Ltd. of New York City". Its five founders averaged 12 years of age. By 1910 there were an estimated 4,000 amateur radio stations on the air. In 1912 laws were passed giving amateurs the 200 meter (1500 kHz) radio band. Consider that the 200 meter band is in what we now know as the AM broadcast band. At that time, both commercial and military radio interests considered the 200 meter band to be useless because it was too high in frequency. Thus began the Hams' search in innovative radio; they have always been pioneers. During both World Wars, large numbers of Ham operators served as radio operators in the military. Other hams developed advanced communication techniques and equipment for both military and commercial use. Much of the communications technology we now use can be traced back to a Ham nerding in his shack saying, "What if?". If you're interested in more Ham history, please read 200 Meters and Down by C. DeSoto (1936, 1987). Hams Today There isn't any shortage of variety in Ham radio. Hams communicate using everything from Morse Code to computerized data transmission on their very own satellite system. Hams operate on so many bands and with so many different types of transmissions that the possibilities are endless. Hams are licensed for Morse Code (that's dit, dah), voice transmission in AM, FM and SSB (Single SideBand) modes, TV transmission, and many forms of digital tranmissions. The radio bands, or frequencies, licensed to the Hams allow communication with just about any place on Earth. Why Hams even bounce their radio signals off the Moon and back to Earth. Community services are high on the Ham's list of priorities. These community services range from just helping out local organizations with communication, to life and death emergency service. For example, last week in Yreka CA communications were provided for the local Lions Club bike-a-thon by Hams. Last year, Hams provided communications for fire teams fighting the massive forrest fires on the West Coast. I remember spending hours listening to Hams handle emergency traffic for the Alaska earthquake in 1964. The list goes endlessly onÉ Probably the most popular Ham activity is "Rag Chewing". Hams chew the rag on any band, at any time, and to anywhere. One of the most popular Ham bands, and one entirely suited to homestead communications, is the 2 meter band (144 to 148 MHz). Two meters is one of the most well organized and versatile of the Ham bands. Most areas abound with "repeaters" that work on the 2 meter band. A repeater receives and rebroadcasts radio signals for greater range. Some of these repeaters are interfaced with the telephone network and local nonbusiness telephone calls are permitted on them. The ultimate in repeaters is OSCAR (Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio). OSCAR was built by Hams and launched into Earth orbit by the U.S. government. OSCAR is used by Hams all over the world, and is a bridge to international communication and understanding. The Rules of Ham Radio Ham radio is basically a hobby type service. Any sort of business activity is not permitted. The operator of a Ham radio station must hold a valid operators license in order to legally operate that station. Within these limitations, there is a whole world of communication offered to those of us beyond the telephone lines. Ham radio can provide the essential communication to keep us back country folks in touch with friends and family. It's also nice to know that emergency assistance can be summoned to remote locations via the helpful Hams. Ham radio also puts us in touch with an international network of technically adept people. Topics such as PV power and battery storage are everyday rag chew subjects. Getting Started in Ham Radio Yes, you must learn Morse code. Morse code is required by international radio law and treaty. Learning Morse code is really not that difficult. The minimum Morse code requirement, for a Novice Amateur Radio license, is 5 WPM (Words Per Minute). Five WPM, along with a 30 question, multiple choice, test on elementary radio theory and FCC rules gives you a Novice ticket. Under new FCC rules, novices now have voice privileges on the 1.25 meter (220 MHz) band and the 10 meter (28 MHz) band. The 1.25 meter band is very effective for local communication within a 40 to 100 mile radius. There are many repeaters on the 1.25 meter band already and many more being installed weekly. The 10 meter band is suitable for global communication, and novices talk to stations from Tennessee to Timbucktoo. The next higher level of Amateur radio license is the Technician grade. This requires a slightly harder written exam and no additional Morse code. The technician ticket gives full operating privileges on all bands higher than 50 MHz, including the very useful 2 meter band. Getting Help Hams like to show off their radio shacks, just like most of us like to show off our home power systems. Getting started won't be any problem because Hams are everywhere. Look around for large antenna arrays (TV antennas with a gland problem), ring the bell and ask. Hams are communicators and they will help you get in touch with the local ham radio club or repeater association. These clubs are a good place to join a Novice class or get more information. If you can't locate a Ham by his antennas, then contact the ARRL (American Radio Relay League). The ARRL can put you in touch with your local Ham radio club and its classes. Write the ARRL at 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111. A beginners package called, "Tune in the World with Ham Radio" is available form the ARRL. Many of us have become Hams with just such a package and no formalized classroom instruction. It's really not hard. Study material is also available from other sources. Radio Shack has a Novice study course (RS part # 62-2402) for $19.95. Heathkit, POB 1288, Benton Harbor, MI 49022, offers several Ham radio instruction courses. Heathkits' #ER-3701 Ham course costs $44.95. Heathkit Ham courses are available for computer aided instruction, are very well written, and come with a money back guarantee. If you don't pass your Ham exam, you get your money for the course back. Write Heathkit for their catalog. Gordon West Radio School offers Ham radio license instruction courses. Gordon has a wide variety of material from Novice to Extra class. I just received his "21 Day Novice Code & Theory Course" (Course #04) for $19.95. It includes two Morse code instruction cassette tapes, a theory & FCC regulations book, and other stuff including rebate coupons for ham equipment. I am testing this kit on local would be novices and will let you know how it works. It looks very complete. You can write the Gordon West Radio School at 2414 College Dr., Cosa Mesa, CA 92626 or telephone 714-549-5000. Richard Measures' columns on basic electricity in Home Power is part of the theory you will need to get your Ham ticket. Here we have a no lose situation-- Ham radio and home power share much of the same electronic theory. What you learn in one will help you with the other. Is Ham Radio Expensive? No, a VHF voice station can cost as little as $300 and spans a radius over 60 miles. An internationally talking HF Ham station will cost about $700 to set up. Most all ham gear is powered directly by 12 VDC and is a natural for operation on our home power battery packs. Used gear is much cheaper and sold at your local club's swap meets. Home Power & Ham Radio Several Hams have asked about starting a Home Power net. Let's give it a try on 40 meters. I'll transmit a CQ "Home Power" somewhere between 7.230 and 7.250 MHz. on June 19 and June 26 at 2330 UTC (4:30 PM PDT). At this time and frequency, I expect that we will cover the Western US and as the band goes long in the afternoon pick up the rest of the USA. If you are a Ham and are interested in a net about home power stuff, please write me at 13109 Norman Dr., Montague, CA 96064. I'm compiling a list of Hams and if there is enough interest we'll publish this list so everyone can get together. Please include info about your operating frequencies and times. I encourage you to share your communications experiences with all the readers of Home Power. So, HELP! When I'm not playing in little boats on Monterey Bay I'm allowing this writing business to scare the hell out of me. Energy not shared is Energy lost. 73s.